Lisa is a high school senior who has a negative outlook on life. She believes that odds are stacked against her and that a few powerful people get all of the advantages in life. She is sarcastic and has few friends. Recently, she ran for student government and didn't get elected. She claims the election was unfair and that the student government advisor purposely misguided her. Since then, she has stopped studying for her classes and attending school regularly. She had hoped to go to college next year, but she is now too depressed about her failures. She has become afraid her parents won't love her anymore.
Describe the following perspectives and give an explanation of Lisa's problems from each of them.
• Psychoanalytic
• Social-cognitive
• Humanistic
• Behavioral
Finally, which perspective do you think makes the most sense and why? write 5 sentences.
From a psychoanalytic perspective, Lisa's problems can be attributed to unresolved inner conflicts and repressed emotions. Her negative outlook on life and belief that the odds are stacked against her could stem from unconscious thoughts and feelings. Her reaction to not getting elected and blaming others for her failures could be her way of protecting herself from facing her own shortcomings.
From a social-cognitive perspective, Lisa's problems can be seen as being influenced by her environment and the way she perceives and interprets her experiences. Her beliefs about powerful people getting all the advantages in life may have been shaped by her interactions and observations in society. Her blaming of others for her failures and lack of motivation in school could be a result of her learned behavior and cognitive biases.
From a humanistic perspective, Lisa's problems can be understood as a lack of self-actualization and fulfillment of her potential. Her negative outlook on life and belief that she is destined to fail could be a reflection of her not living authentically and in alignment with her true self. Her fear of her parents not loving her anymore could stem from a lack of self-acceptance and self-esteem.
From a behavioral perspective, Lisa's problems can be viewed as a result of learned patterns of behavior and reinforcement. Her lack of motivation in school and avoidance of responsibilities could be due to the negative consequences she experienced from not getting elected and feeling like a failure. Her tendency to blame others and lack of effort in improving her situation may be a result of her not being rewarded for positive actions in the past.
In my opinion, the social-cognitive perspective makes the most sense in understanding Lisa's problems. This is because it takes into consideration both her personal beliefs and environmental influences, showing how they interact to shape her behavior and attitudes. It acknowledges the role of her perceptions and interpretations of her experiences, as well as the impact of her interactions with others. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive understanding of Lisa's struggles and offers insight into how she can make positive changes in her life.